Tips For Sucess

It may not feel like it, but there are a million changes that happen between you freshman and sophomore year. Remembering back to my first year of college, I start with full force, but come time for the year to wrap up I had submitted to laziness. Term 2 saw my GPA fall a bit after a very successful first term. Looking back upon it now I realize that there were a various number of potholes to fall into along the way, so I devised a little list of do’s and don’ts that will help you stay on task throughout the year.


Get some sleep

Let’s be honest, as college students we pretty much become nocturnal creatures. Whether it’s staying up late studying, doing last minute reading for your class at nine in the morning, or just voluntarily not wanting to go to sleep, you need to get your rest. Lack of sleep can only build up until the point where you’re not going to get up for class. Nothing good happens after one or two p.m. so save yourself the hassle of waking up tired, lethargic, and zombie like for the remainder of the day. You will end up messing up your sleep schedule and then only bad things can happen from there.

Learn to Love Coffee

You are going to inevitably stay up late hanging out with friends or trying to put the last touches on your freshman writing portfolio the night before it is due. Coffee is going to be your best friend for the rest of your life. Especially for those of you who try to avoid the sugar saturated unhealthy energy drinks and five-energies, coffee is a much healthier alternative for energy and that little kick start boost in the morning. If you don’t like waiting until it cools down to drink it, add some ice in the cup before you pour it, it’ll cool it down and eliminate the bitter taste if you’re not a huge fan of it.


Combat Procrastination

This has to be the most difficult point at least it always was for me. Nobody really wants to do work and I’ll be the first to admit it, but you have to get it done. Whenever you’ve got a chance or a little free time, do a little bit of work. Start that project that’s due in two weeks or that paper that’s due on Friday early. Trust me; you’ll be so relieved to have done it sooner. It may even save you a day here and there, especially the weekends. Don’t wait until the last minute or you’re going to be pulling a few all nighters in the Lounge of your dorm while your roommate gets to sleep soundly that night.


Go to Class

If you miss class, you’re not going to do well in the class. It’s the key time to get information about the papers that are due, the subject matters that are discussed, and obviously the test that will come whether you’re prepared or not. Most teachers know when you’re not in class and if you’re having trouble they’ll be more willing to help you.


Moderation

Do everything in moderation so that you can diversify your time for maximum output. Don’t spend an entire day doing homework nor spend an entire day playing xbox. Spend an hour doing one and then take a break. Write a page of your paper and then go to the gym and relieve some stress. Not to say you can’t go hang out with friends for a little while or go see a movie. Just don’t forget about your assignments.




There are a million and one things to do in College, and even more ways to enjoy these golden years. Don’t get caught up in the moment and let it affect the goals that you came to college with. A good thing to do for yourself is to set yourself a few goals. When you’re lying in bed ready to call it a night, just think about yourself and those goals, if you’re on the path to fulfilling them or not. I had a little difficulty sticking to some of these points my freshman year, but got a good learning experience out of it. I learned the hard way do that once and I bet you won’t do that again.

A Long Weekend

There’s a lot of great things about college, like new found independence and a whole new world to be uncovered and experienced. Yet, one of the greatest parts of college does not even lie within college life itself. The return home is one of the greatest parts, where glorious reunions with family and friends take place. Not to say that the new friends that are met at college are subsidiary and you won’t share that same experience with them later on in life. It is just an amazing feeling to be reunited with others whom you had shared so much history with; some you haven’t seen in months, especially family.



There’s nothing like the feeling of calling up one of your buddies and them saying, “Hey, want to play some halo on Xbox Live?” And you responding “Nah, I’d rather come over to your house and hang out.” There’s so much that has happened in the last few months that you simply lose track of time. The fact that life goes on even though you’re not there kicks in. It never gets old coming home after a long six to nine week stint of being at school, but it’s always something I look forward to nonetheless.

It may be sad to say, but it’s one of the basic principles of time and of human nature. Everyone thinks they universe revolves around them and when it reveals to them that thus is not the case, it’s a little disappointing. Regardless, it is an amazing feeling to return home to a place that I’d spent so much time; even if it’s only for a long weekend. I’ll be going back to school soon, but what can I say every day takes me just a little bit closer to the day that I’ll be making that five and a half hour drive back home for the holidays. Boy can I assure you that I can’t wait for that.